Letter to Sora and Elder Hardy

 Sora Hardy and Elder Hardy- it's been an entertaining week, to say the least. I'll try to update you quickly because I know that your time matters:

Dad- continues to balance work/bishop life remarkably well. It is almost as though God has been building his stamina and preparing him for this very time in his life. The Bible phrase "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14) comes to me often when I think of Dad. 

Jessica- came down with the flu from "H-E-Double Hockey Sticks" this week. I don't think I have ever seen one of you as weak as she was. I woke up around 3:30 am on Tuesday am to the sound of her puking, only to find out that she'd already puked 16 times before that. It was so bad that she'd moved a pillow and blanket into the bathtub and tried to sleep there. Around 6 am she tried going downstairs and literally couldn't make it. She passed out, right there on one of the middle steps, eventually coming to and moving back up to my bed. It was hard to watch her be so unwell. She tried her best to recover during the week and on Thursday she left for a 3-day tournament (Western Canada) in Calgary. They lost their games on Thursday and Friday thankfully, the girls won their last match AND Jess got "Player of the Game," so ...her week ended better than it started!  

Nate-  This guy cracks me up. He joined the Junior High this past week on a ski trip. I'm amazed at how you all can go months and years without skiing and then just go pick it up like it's no big deal. Sam, you would be proud of how diligent he is with his working out. He hates missing a day and has yet to be thrown out of the Blue & White Fitness Center. So far, so good. He had a party here last night (Friday night) and within minutes of everyone arriving, they had the razor out and were taking turns BUZZING Nate's head! John and I were up in our room, watching a movie, when a bunch of Nate's friends came knocking on the door asking us to come fix him. He no longer looks like Flynn Rider, and instead resembles a cross between Zac Low & Ryan Zemp. I actually think it looks really good! Nate and I got up at 5 am this morning and went to Calgary to watch Jessica's final game. (Nate drove the whole time!) It was cute to see Jess smile when we walked into the gym. She and her teammates were just really digging Nate's cut.

Me- I turned in my LAST assignment and attended my last Zoom class EVER this week. It was thrilling to consider that 4.5 years of assignments have come to an end. The only thing I have left to do is an 8-week practicum. Still a challenge that scares me, but it felt good to see an end in sight. 

Other News-

-Lucy Nunn's farewell is tomorrow. Nate, Jess, and I will attend their meeting to hear her speak, and then they invited us to stay for the luncheon. 

-We are also cooking up a storm, prepping a lot of food to take to the Stevens' to eat while watching the Superbowl. Basically, we will all be 10 pounds heavier when we talk with you next. 

- I am getting ready to FILE taxes! (One of my favorite times of the year!) Hopefully, your T4 slips all make it here. Abby- It may help if you message your former roomies and ask them to bring any of your mail to me!

-Radar and I have been enjoying the progress that Blackcard Construction is making on the new condos they are building in town. You will be happy to know that Radar's hair is thankfully growing back!

Okay, this letter ran long. I hope you were able to read it all! Tell me if you want me to go back to the old method of weekly updates. 

We love you so much. We think of you several times throughout every day. We pray for you morning and night, and every time we eat - (AKA...constantly!) We are SO proud of you and SO thankful for all that you teach us!

Here if you need me, 

Mom 

Letter to My Missionaries

Sora Hardy and Elder Hardy,

I hope that you both are well. It has been an interesting week here as Dad and Jess started a new semester. They've both got full loads this time around, but thankfully there are many extensive breaks this term that will hopefully soften the blow. 

I don't know if we experiencing side effects of El Nino or Global Warming, but it has been unseasonably warm and dry. Aside from the week of -40 degrees we had recently, it has been a mild winter. This past week, Nate broke out the moped and started taking that to and from school. Who drives a moped in February? It's been good for him to be able to use it. Radar has been in heaven, getting to go on longer walks and enjoying all the muddy places. Birds are out and flowers are budding out of the unfrozen ground. No joke. Last week we had a day when it was 15 degrees and people were wearing T-shirts and shorts. You would think it was spring already! It's a little concerning actually as water tables are low and everybody worries that farmers and ranchers won't have enough moisture when they need it this spring and summer. It rained all day today and another winter storm is supposed to roll through tonight, so hopefully that helps. 

Dad performed his first civil marriage today. He was a little bit excited about that and did a phenomenal job!

Jessica had a tournament in Calgary this weekend and brought home the Tournament MVP award. (Yay, Jess!) On Wednesday, there was no school so Jessica and I headed out to Waterton. The Kilmorey Lodge has introduced a year-long challenge called "The IronBear Challenge." Those who join the challenge have to climb Bear's Hump every month for 12 months and post pictures on the Kilmorey Facebook page as proof. Once you have completed your 12 consecutive hikes- you get a T-shirt. Jess and I are all in and hiked Month #1 on the last day of January. After the hike, Jess took an unintentional dip in Emerald Bay, which we will gracefully call "another polar dip." Even in Waterton, the snow levels are low and the grass is turning green. 

I'll sign off now and leave you a few pictures. We think of you both every day. I know you hear me say that often, but we do. I am teaching Nate's Sunday School class tomorrow and we will be discussing 1 Nephi 16-18. It's past midnight (Jess is late again) and here I am crying as I read about Nephi and the challenges that he faced as he and his family obeyed the Lord. I know that our lives are full of hard feelings and hard moments, but God has promised to help us and guide us and He always keeps His promises. (1 Nephi 17:13).  WE LOVE YOU!!!  

Here if you need me,

Mom